Convertible chair

ABSTRACT

A convertible chair is provided with a core body formed from assembled upper and lower shells that are produced by a rotary injection molding process. The shells are bonded together, and the upper shell may have molded foam material applied as a cushion over which a detachable cover is provided. Armrests may be provided as part of the upper shell, and chair legs may be formed as part of the lower shell.

Suzuki et a1.

1 Sept. 25, 1973 CONVERTIBLE CHAIR [56] Inventors:

Assignee:

Filed:

Appl. No.:

Foreign Application Priority Data May 19, 1971 Japan 46/40888 US. Cl 297/445, 297/419, 297/440,

297/DIG. 2 Int. Cl A47c 7/14, A47c 4/02 Field of Search 297/411, 422, 440,

Sohei Suzuki, Gifu; Saburo Koike;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Fumio Aiba, both of Kagamihara, 3,055,708 9/1962 Baermann 297/445 all ofJapan 3,164,110 1/1965 Bofinger 297/D1G. 2 3,298,741 1/1967 Lepard, Jr. et a1. 297/D1G. 2

Tenryu Industries, Co., Ltd., 3,606,460 9/1971 Shannon Gifu-ken, Japan 3,101,218 8/1963 Baermann 297/41 1 X May 15, 1972 297/445, 452, DIG. l, DIG. 2

[57] ABSTRACT A convertible chair is provided with a core body formed from assembled upper and lower shells that are produced by a rotary injection molding process. The shells are bonded together, and the upper shell may have molded foam material applied as a cushion over which a detachable cover is provided. Armrests may be provided as part of the upper shell, and chair legs may be formed as part of the lower shell.

Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg Attorney-Milton .1. Wayne et a1.

14 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEPZSBB SHEET 2 [If 6 PATENTEUSEP25|975 3'.7s1,130

SHEET 5 OF 6 PATENT sens-191a sum s [)F a CONVERTIBLE CHAIR BROAD STATEMENT OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a convertible chair and is particularly concerned with the formation of the chair by upper and lower plastic shells providing convertible features with respect to armrests and leg formations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART In the prior art it is known in the furniture field that luxurious appearance and comfort for a chair is now more in demand. The trend has been to provide such comfort by means of an armchair. However, the production cost and sales price of an armchair produced in the conventional manner is high so that the demand for such a chair has not been satisfied. Accordingly, it would be desired to provide a chair formed by elements in an inexpensive manner and which can be either a regular chair or an armchair as desired.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a chair formed by a plurality of shells made of plastic material that are easily assembled.

Another provision of the present invention is to provide a chair formed by a plurality of shells made of plastic material produced by a rotary injection molding process so that the production cost of the shells is considerably reduced.

A further provision of the present invention is to provide a chair having convertible elements so that the appearance of the chair can be easily changed so as to satisfy the requirements of customers.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a chair having conponent elements which allow easy assembly and a convenient shape for transportation of the chair from the manufacturer to the distributor.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with certain embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The nature of the present invention will become more clearly apparent and better understood from the following description and accompanying drawings in which: I

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an armchair according to the present invention; a

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the armchair shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the armchair shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the armchair taken along line lV-IV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the armchair taken along line V -V in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side view, partly in section, of another embodiment of the chair according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the chair shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the chair according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the chair shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the chair taken along line X-X in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the chair taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view in section of a further embodiment of the lower portion of the chair according to the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the leg portion of the chair shown in FIG. 12.

A first embodiment of the present invention is hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 1-5. As

clearly shown in these Figures, this embodiment discloses an armchair and is characterized by convertible elements and a plurality of body shell elements made of plastic materials. The armchair of this embodiment is formed by a core body which consists of a main body that is supported on a base body. The main body comprises an upper shell 1 which consists of a back 5, a pair of side portions 6 provided as armrests and a seat portion 7. Shell 1 is made of thermoplastic synthetic resin having rigid property (referred to as rigid synthetic resin). Shell 1 is formed so that it has a hollow space 17 as seen in FIG. 4, and the formation of shell 1 is provided by a molded continuous plate. The outer profile and hollow space 17 of shell 1 have a taper so that the dimensions decrease upwardly.

The base body of the chair consists of a lower shell 2 made of the rigid synthetic resin and a plurality of legs 19 rigidly secured to the bottom surface of shell 2. Shell 2 includes an upper edge portion 8 which is engaged with an inside wall 10 of a bottom edge portion 9 of shell 1. In order to provide the engagement of upper shell 1 with lower shell 2 a conventional bonding agent can be used.

As seen most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5, lower shell 2 is formed to have a hollow space 18, and this formation 'of shell 2 is provided by a molded continuous plate made of rigid synthetic resin such as polyethylene resin. The outer profile and the hollow space 18 of lower shell 2 are provided with a taper so that the dimensions thereof decrease downwardly.

The assembly of upper shell 1 with lower shell 2 forms the core body of the armchair shown in FIGS. 1-5. Molded foam material 3 of a soft synthetic resin may be utilized to protect the core body and to provide a cushion effect. Foam material 3 includes a back portion 11 which covers back 5, a pair of side portions 12 which cover the armrests 6, and a cushion part 13 which covers the seat 7 of shell 1..Polyurethane resin is preferably used for the foam material 3. It is possible to form the molded foam material 3 as a body having a configuration fitting the outer surface of the bore body. In attaching the foam material 3 on shell I, a conventional bonding agent is applied to the outer surface of shell 1 so that foam material 3 and shell 1 can be assembled. It is to be understood that lower shell 2 may also be covered by molded foam material in the same manner as described hereinabove in connection with upper shell 1. The thickness of the foam material 3 is chosen toprovide a desired cushion; effect for the chair.

A cover 4 is provided in a detachable relationship so as to cover the foam material 3 as shown in the drawings. Cover 4 consists of a back cover portion 14 which covers back portion 1 l, a pair of side portions 15 which cover the side portions 12, and a seat portion 16 which covers the seat portion 7 of foam material 3. A soft sheet of synthetic resin or a decorated fabric is preferably used for cover 4.

Upper shell 1 and lower shell 2 are easily produced by the rotary injection molding process. Consequently, the production cost for making the core body is decreased, and the sales price of the armchair disclosed is reasonable and inexpensive.

As mentioned above, upper shell I is formed with an upward taper and lower shell 2 is formed with a downward taper. Accordingly, thisfeature makes it possible to stack the shells in superposed relation so that the space required for transportation is considerably reduced, which results in a lowering of transportation costs.

A further feature of the present invention is that cover 4 is detachably assembled with respect to foam material 3. Accordingly, if the user of the chair wishes to change the appearance, or clean cover 4, the cover is easily removed.

A further feature of the present invention lies in the forming of the core body of plastic material having hollow spaces as illustrated. Accordingly, the weight of a chair of this type is less than a conventional armchair so that it is easily handled and moved.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The chair shown in this embodiment is similar to the first embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 1-5 except that no armrests are provided in this embodiment. Accordingly, the same reference numbers are used where applicable. The core body shown in FIG. 6 is formed by bonding together upper shell 1 and lower shell 2 as described in connection with the first embodiment, and upper shell 1 includes a back portion 5 and a seat 7' while lower shell 2 includes spaced legs 19 as in the first embodiment. Upper shell 1 is formed to have a hollow space 17' located within the back portion, and lower shell 2 is formed to have a hollow space 18 as in the first embodiment.

As seen in FIG. 7 legs 19 are symmetrically spaced at the corners of the bottom of shell 2, and except for the omission of the armrests, the formation and the advantages of the chair shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are the same as explained hereinabove in connection with the embodiment in FIGS. 1-5.

FIGS. 8-11 disclose a further embodiment of an armchair according to the present invention. In this embodiment the armchair is substantially similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. l-S except that the molded foam material and the legs have been omitted. Therefore, the same reference numerals have been I used to designate the same elements where applicable.

In this embodiment upper shell 1 is fastened to lower shell 2 in the same manner as described previously, and upper shell 1 includes a back 5, seat 7 and armrests 6 which have slightly changed taper as compared to the armrests 6 shown in FIG. 5. Upper shell 1 includes hollow space 17 while lower shell 1 includes hollow space 18. In this embodiment it is seen that cover 4 is directly in contact with upper shell 1 and includes back portion 14, side portions and seat portion 16 which function in the same manner as described for the first embodiment. Since the molded foam material has been omitted, it is desirable that cover 4 be provided of thicker soft material than that used in the first embodiment; and to provide a convertible function, a detachable fastener, such as a nylon opener can be provided on the rear side of cover 4 so as to make it easily detachable from shell 1.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a still further embodiment of the present invention wherein the lower shell 2 is molded so as to integrally include the leg portions. As shown in FIGS. 12, legs 19' are formed as part of shell 2 and accordingly include part of hollow space 18. Legs 19 are arranged symmetrically in the corners of the bottom of shell 2 as shown in FIG. 13.

Since the basic structure of the chairs disclosed in each of the above-described embodiments is the same, all of the advantages and features apply to each of the embodiments.

It will be understood that other changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art in the particular features of the various embodiments which have been described for illustrative purposes without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is: 1. A convertible chair comprising a core body having an upper hollow open bottomed shell and a lower hollow open topped shell, said upper shell comprising a closed seat portion and being rigidly supported on said lower shell, whereby a hollow space is defined between said seat portion and said lower shell; said upper shell being upwardly tapered with the ho]- low space therewithin being upwardly tapered;

said lower shell being downwardly tapered with the hollow space therewithin being downwardly tapered; and

a cover member covering at least a portion of said core body and detachable therefrom.

2. A convertible chair according to claim 1 wherein molded foam material is disposed between said upper shell and said cover member.

3. A convertible chair according to claim 2 wherein said foam material is polyurethane resin.

4. A convertible chair according to claim 2 wherein said foam material is formed with a configuration corresponding to the configuration of said core body.

5. A convertible chair according to claim 1 wherein said upper shell comprises a back portion, and said hollow space defined by said seat portion and lower shell extends within said back portion.

6. A convertible chair according to claim 1 wherein said upper shell is provided with a back portion and armrest projections, and said hollow space defined by said seat portion and lower shell extends within said back section and said armrest projections.

7. A convertible chair according to claim 6 wherein said armrest projections are upwardly tapering.

8. A convertible chair according to claim 1 wherein said core body is formed of a rigid synthetic resin.

9. A convertible chair according to claim 8 wherein said resin is polyethylene.

10. A convertible chair according to claim 1 wherein a bonding material is provided to fasten said upper shell to said lower shell.

11. A convertible chair according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of legs are spacedly secured to a bottom surface of said lower shell.

12. A convertible chair according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of legs are formed as an integral bottom part of said lower shell, and said lower shell hollow space extends within said legs.

13. A convertible chair according to claim 1 wherein said upper shell has a downwardly extending lower edge portion, said lower shell has an upwardly extendsupport of said upper shell.

ing upper edge portion, comprising means for joining 14. The convertible chair of claim 1 wherein said said lower edge portion and said upper edge portion, upper and lower shells are unitary molded components. said joining means comprising substantially the sole 

1. A convertible chair comprising a core body having an upper hollow open bottomed shell and a lower hollow open topped shell, said upper shell comprising a closed seat portion and being rigidly supported on said lower shell, whereby a hollow space is defined between said seat portion and said lower shell; said upper shell being upwardly tapered with the hollow space therewithin being upwardly tapered; said lower shell being downwardly tapered with the hollow space therewithin being downwardly tapered; and a cover member covering at least a portion of said core body and detachable therefrom.
 2. A convertible chair according to claim 1 wherein molded foam material is disposed between said upper shell and said cover member.
 3. A convertible chair according to claim 2 wherein said foam material is polyurethane resin.
 4. A convertible chair according to claim 2 wherein said foam material is formed with a configuration corresponding to the configuration of said core body.
 5. A convertible chair according to claim 1 wherein said upper shell comprises a back portion, and said hollow space defined by said seat portion and lower shell extends within said back portion.
 6. A convertible chair according to claim 1 wherein said upper shell is provided with a back portion and armrest projections, and said hollow space defined by said seat portion and lower shell extends within said back section and said armrest projections.
 7. A convertible chair according to claim 6 wherein said armrest projections are upwardly tapering.
 8. A convertible chair according to claim 1 wherein said core body is formed of a rigid synthetic resin.
 9. A convertible chair according to claim 8 wherein said resin is polyethylene.
 10. A convertible chair according to claim 1 wherein a bonding material is provided to fasten said upper shell to said lower shell.
 11. A convertible chair according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of legs are spacedly secured to a bottom surface of said lower shell.
 12. A convertible chair according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of legs are formed as an integral bottom part of said lower shell, and said lower shell hollow space extends within said legs.
 13. A convertible chair according to claim 1 wherein said upper shell has a downwardly extending lower edge portion, said lower shell has an upwardly extending upper edge portion, comprising means for joining said lower edge portion and said upper edge portion, said joining means comprising substantially the sole support of said upper shell.
 14. The convertible chair of claim 1 wherein said upper and lower shells are unitary molded components. 